The Holiday Season

Happy Friday everyone! It has been a long time between posts. Without whining I will just say I caught a bug just before Thanksgiving, it moved from a cold to bronchitis to pneumonia and set me back a bit. Thankfully, all is well now!

Our house is decorated and the lights are up. This always makes me so happy. I love this time of year. Julia and I have made a few batches of cookie dough and froze the cookies raw. We can then pop them in the oven a bit closer to Christmas.

I also made two batches of these amazing Sweet and Spicy Walnuts. A friend of Ray’s gave us two huge bags of (shelled!) walnuts. They are addictive and the three of us have been eating them constantly. Yesterday Julia had a few friends over and they went through them as well. I wanted to gift some so I will likely need to make one more batch. Fortunately, they are super easy to make. You want to give them a try, trust me.

When Julia’s friends were here yesterday, they made some gingerbread cookies. This one is my favorite.

Sewing…. This is my busy season with my shop. Meaning the majority of my sewing has been Chemex Cozies for my customers. I only have one left to go and hope to finish that one today or tomorrow. Nothing too exciting to show you there.

I also made doll clothes for my grand daughter. Of course, in my rush to get that package mailed off, I totally forgot to take any pictures! I found a template on-line for making little diapers for her doll. With her little sister coming in March, I though it would be fun for her to have diapers for her own baby. I am not sure she will be able to put them on and off herself? They have velcro closures but still might be a trick for her. I made them in a few sizes because I wasn’t sure what would fit her baby dolls. We don’t want them to leak, do we?? Haha. I also made her a set of flannel pajamas and a little set with shorts and a t-shirt. All were made with scraps and bits of elastic and it was a fun sewing session. If you want to give this a try, here is a great link to several free patterns for doll clothes.

There are a few gifts in process as well. Those will be shared after the holidays. Finally – I am working on the November piecing for the Mosaic Mystery Quilt. When I got sick, I really got behind with this project. So I have to get the November and December piecing done. It is looking really good though. There are a couple of other QALs and BOMs starting soon that I want to join but if I am behind on this one, it will be a challenge. So wish me luck!

23 thoughts on “The Holiday Season

  1. Roseanne

    Hi Bernie! Oh, I am so sorry that bug got its claws into you. But on a bright note, yay to feeling better. Your granddaughter is going to just love the doll clothes. She’ll be changing her baby along with momma and her baby sibling. Merry Christmas to you and your family. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just days away. ~smile~ Roseanne

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks Roseanne! Feeling much better now. They moved H into a ‘big girl bed’ so they can get her out of the nursery and used to a different bedroom. She seems really excited about baby sister coming. I can’t wait!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

      Reply
  2. Laurie Lasala-Tuttle

    I’m sorry you’ve been ill Bernie, but so happy you are feeling better! I absolutely love reading your blog posts, and get behind reading when working. I catch up with EVERYTHING when the school I work at is on vacation. Thanks for the recipe, and all you share about your family & precious grandbaby. I too love that particular gingerbread cookie, so unique! Merry Christmas Bernie!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I know what you mean Laurie. It is hard to keep up with blogs etc. I definitely read them in spurts too.
      But I do love hearing from you when you have a minute. Enjoy your Christmas break! Happy Holidays to you.

      Reply
  3. Wendy

    I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better, Bernie. Just in time to have a restful, peaceful Christmas with your family. I’ve never had spiced walnuts. I’m smiling, because one cookie recipe I have of my mother’s has a note saying she leaves the walnuts off the top of the cookie “because my kids leave them all over the house” — haha. I apparently was not a fan of them, but the spiced ones sound yummy. That is one elaborate gingerbread cookie; very cool! I’ll bet H will just love the diapers! Love to see what you are creating for her, and I am excited for you to be grandma of two! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      That is a great story! Your mom sounds so funny. I confess, I was disappointed in cookies with nuts in them as a kid. I can relate. Now that I am so old I appreciate them. Hahaha. These are really yummy tho. My son and his wife come today and stay through the 26th so yay for family time. Happy Christmas to you Wendy.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Haha – well I am not sure what size her Dollys are so I figured better safe than sorry! I am sure they will fit something – doll, stuffed animal? Who knows! Merry Christmas Michelle!!

      Reply
  4. Tracie

    Oh, I feel sorry for anyone who is recovering from pneumonia. It’s horrible! I hope your stamina has returned. Thanks for sharing the doll diaper pattern. I’m interested in any other doll patterns you’d recommend. My niece wants baby doll clothes for Christmas—even if they’re late.

    Reply
  5. Carol Dean Jones

    Bernie, ‘m glad you’re back on your feet before the holidays. Still get rest — these things can linger. You’re a great grandma! The clothes and treats (waiting in the frig) will be loved. Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Blessings.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Carol, So nice to hear from you. It has taken a while to ‘get going’ again. Yesterday I did a short walk with my husband. It has been weeks and weeks. But I feel so much better. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! How is the writing going? Any new books coming in 2020??

      Reply
  6. Linda

    Oh Bernie I’m so sorry pneumonia got a grip on you. I still have a few lingering minor issues, it’s really a debilitating illness. I’m glad you are better, but take care of yourself. Glad you are feeling better to enjoy those Christmas lights and decorations, and Julia!
    I see recipes for those nuts on the internet, but the cumin makes me hesitate. I love cumin but can’t imagine it with sugar. Guess I just need to trust you huh?
    Love the diapers!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family Bernie!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I was skeptical as well about the sweet and spicy but it works! I admit, I cut back on the cumin and it was delicious. I bet you would love them. Have a fantastic holiday Linda – are you going to see your grands over the Christmas week?

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks a bunch Carole. It is frustrating how long it takes to just get back to normal. But yesterday was a fun day – took a short walk and did some sewing. Makes for a nice day, in my opinion! Enjoy Christmas week Carole. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jocelyn Thurston

    Hi Bernie, what a pretty picture you paint of a lovely family making Christmas preparations. Love to see what you stitch and you jogged my memory of all the doll’s clothes my mom sewed and knitted for my daughter’s Barbies, and Ken too! Merry Christmas to you from me!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Jocelyn, oh my gosh, Barbie clothes would be a challenge. Such teeny tiny pieces! I am not sure I would tackle that! Thank you for your sweet comments though. Have a very merry Christmas!!

      Reply
  8. Mari

    Hi Bernie! I’m so glad that you’re feeling better but your other commenters are right– take it easy and get a lot of rest. Thankfully, stitching is not high impact! Those doll diapers are the cutest things ever! I’m sure she’ll be able to handle them. It will give her practice in dexterity. Enjoy your holidays and time with the family. Perhaps Julia would make a special batch of walnuts just for you! Merry Christmas, and happy 2020!

    Reply
  9. Emily

    So glad to hear you are feeling better now, Bernie! That tiny diaper is the cutest! I’m sure H will love being able to change diapers on her doll!

    Reply
  10. JanineMarie

    Oh, Bernie, it’s awful to not feel well, especially during the holidays. I’m glad you are feeling better and that you can enjoy the festivities with Julia being home. Once again sweet little treats for H. I can’t wait to see photos of her dressing her doll and playing Mommy. Have a joyous Christmas with your family and happy quilting in the new year!

    Reply

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